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No. 5239
Bizen Tokkuri(used)
¥95,000
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Description
This is a slightly older Bizen sake bottle by Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki, an artist who has consistently led the world of Bizen ware with an inexhaustible creative power. It is accompanied by a ceramic history document dated up to 2011, shortly after he was designated a Living National Treasure, suggesting it was created around that time. This piece features a well-balanced expression typical of an anagama kiln firing, showcasing the signature Isezaki Bizen finish with elements such as goma (ash glaze), hidaski (fire cord), tobi-goma (scattered ash), and a gradient of white clay and scarlet tones. The crisp, clean white clay is combined with a deep, lustrous scarlet reminiscent of ripe apple skin, creating a vibrant, fresh landscape despite the piece being unglazed and high-fired. The bundle of straw wrapped vertically around the vessel shows true anagama-fired character: the ash is drawn into "ito-goma" (thread-like ash) from the shoulder to the body, while remaining as a vivid hidaski pattern from the waist down, resulting in a sake bottle full of rich variations.
Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Rim 4.0cm x Body diameter 9.2cm x Body diameter 9.1cm x Height 13.5cm, Capacity approx. 410cc Jun Isezaki (1936–2026, born in Imbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the second son of Bizen ceramic artist Yozan Isezaki, who specialized in intricate works.
He learned pottery techniques from his father from a young age and began his career in earnest after graduating from the Special Art Course at Okayama University's Faculty of Education in 1959.
In 1962, he and his older brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, successfully restored and fired a medieval semi-underground anagama kiln.
In addition to traditional wares such as vases, plates, and tea ceramics, he engaged in a wide range of works that emphasized sculptural qualities, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.
In his production process, he placed great importance on both forming and firing, establishing a unique style infused with a modern sensibility by leveraging the distinct characteristics of anagama, climbing, and electric kilns.
He was also a leading artist in the creation of Bizen ceramic walls and reliefs, producing numerous works primarily for public facilities.
He became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966 and served as a lecturer for the Special Art Course at Okayama University's Faculty of Education from 1978 to 1987.
In 1998, he and his brother Mitsuru were designated as Holders of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture; that same year, he became a director of the Japan Kōgei Association and Secretary-General of its Chugoku branch.
In 2002, he created a ceramic wall for the new Prime Minister's Official Residence.
In 2004, he was designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (a Living National Treasure) by the Japanese government, the fifth person to receive this honor for Bizen ware.
In 2025, he was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit.
He passed away in 2026.
Major awards and honors include: The Kaneshige Toyo Prize, Excellence Award at the Chanoyu Modeling Exhibition, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Contribution Award, Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, and Person of Cultural Merit.
Rim 4.0cm x Body diameter 9.2cm x Body diameter 9.1cm x Height 13.5cm, Capacity approx. 410cc Jun Isezaki (1936–2026, born in Imbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the second son of Bizen ceramic artist Yozan Isezaki, who specialized in intricate works.
He learned pottery techniques from his father from a young age and began his career in earnest after graduating from the Special Art Course at Okayama University's Faculty of Education in 1959.
In 1962, he and his older brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, successfully restored and fired a medieval semi-underground anagama kiln.
In addition to traditional wares such as vases, plates, and tea ceramics, he engaged in a wide range of works that emphasized sculptural qualities, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.
In his production process, he placed great importance on both forming and firing, establishing a unique style infused with a modern sensibility by leveraging the distinct characteristics of anagama, climbing, and electric kilns.
He was also a leading artist in the creation of Bizen ceramic walls and reliefs, producing numerous works primarily for public facilities.
He became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1966 and served as a lecturer for the Special Art Course at Okayama University's Faculty of Education from 1978 to 1987.
In 1998, he and his brother Mitsuru were designated as Holders of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture; that same year, he became a director of the Japan Kōgei Association and Secretary-General of its Chugoku branch.
In 2002, he created a ceramic wall for the new Prime Minister's Official Residence.
In 2004, he was designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (a Living National Treasure) by the Japanese government, the fifth person to receive this honor for Bizen ware.
In 2025, he was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit.
He passed away in 2026.
Major awards and honors include: The Kaneshige Toyo Prize, Excellence Award at the Chanoyu Modeling Exhibition, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Contribution Award, Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, and Person of Cultural Merit.
Details
- Pottery Type
- Sake bottle
- Dimensions
- W9.2cm × D9.1cm × H13.5cm 410cc
About the Artist
Jun Isezaki (1936–2026) was born in Imbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, as the second son of Yozan Isezaki, a Bizen ware artist known for his skill in decorative and sculptural works.
He learned ceramic techniques from his father from an early age. After graduating from the Special Art Course in the Faculty of Education at Okayama University in 1959, he began pursuing pottery in earnest.
In 1962, together with his elder brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he reconstructed a medieval semi-underground anagama kiln and successfully fired it.
In addition to traditional vessels such as flower vessels, plates, and tea wares, he worked extensively on highly sculptural creations, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.
Isezaki placed particular importance on forming and firing. By making full use of the distinctive characteristics of anagama kilns, climbing kilns, and electric kilns, he established a unique style filled with a contemporary sensibility.
He was also a leading artist in the creation of ceramic walls and reliefs in Bizen ware and produced numerous works, particularly for public facilities.
In 1966, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association. From 1978 to 1987, he served as a lecturer in the Special Art Course of the Faculty of Education at Okayama University.
In 1998, together with his elder brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In the same year, he was appointed a director of the Japan Kōgei Association and secretary-general of its Chugoku Branch.
In 2002, he created a ceramic wall for the new Prime Minister’s Official Residence.
In 2004, he became the fifth Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 2025, he was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit.
Jun Isezaki passed away in 2026.
Major awards and honors include the Kaneshige Toyo Award, the Excellence Award at the Chanoyu no Zokeiten, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, the Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, and recognition as a Person of Cultural Merit.
He learned ceramic techniques from his father from an early age. After graduating from the Special Art Course in the Faculty of Education at Okayama University in 1959, he began pursuing pottery in earnest.
In 1962, together with his elder brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he reconstructed a medieval semi-underground anagama kiln and successfully fired it.
In addition to traditional vessels such as flower vessels, plates, and tea wares, he worked extensively on highly sculptural creations, including ceramic walls, reliefs, and objects.
Isezaki placed particular importance on forming and firing. By making full use of the distinctive characteristics of anagama kilns, climbing kilns, and electric kilns, he established a unique style filled with a contemporary sensibility.
He was also a leading artist in the creation of ceramic walls and reliefs in Bizen ware and produced numerous works, particularly for public facilities.
In 1966, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association. From 1978 to 1987, he served as a lecturer in the Special Art Course of the Faculty of Education at Okayama University.
In 1998, together with his elder brother Mitsuru Isezaki, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In the same year, he was appointed a director of the Japan Kōgei Association and secretary-general of its Chugoku Branch.
In 2002, he created a ceramic wall for the new Prime Minister’s Official Residence.
In 2004, he became the fifth Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 2025, he was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit.
Jun Isezaki passed away in 2026.
Major awards and honors include the Kaneshige Toyo Award, the Excellence Award at the Chanoyu no Zokeiten, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award, the Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, and recognition as a Person of Cultural Merit.